The South Carolina Commercial Seafood Apprenticeship Program (CSAP) was created through a partnership between the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium, Clemson University, the Town of McClellanville, the McClellanville Community Foundation, and the local commercial seafood industry. It is a one-month, full-time program designed to develop a skilled workforce for the commercial fishing and mariculture industries in South Carolina and the Southeast region, while simultaneously preserving and transferring the knowledge and expertise of local commercial fishers and farmers. The program’s goal is to create a recruitment pipeline for both individuals seeking employment and those seeking workers in the commercial fishing and mariculture industries.
The program teaches participants the skills they need to get started in the commercial fishing or mariculture industry and is best suited for those seeking entry-level employment in the industry. Students learn about the biology of fish and shellfish, fisheries management and regulations, equipment and gear types, mariculture farming production and practices in the Lowcountry, and a brief exposure to marine trades. They observed and participated in the entire mariculture process, wild oyster harvesting and planting, shrimping, and crabbing with local captains.
Apprentices receive immersive marine safety training, classroom-based training, and hands-on job training with local industry experts. Upon completion of the program, participants receive their Commercial Fishing Vessel Drill Conductor Certification, First-Aid and CPR Certification, a completion stipend, gear and course materials. Most importantly, they receive networking assistance to help them find employment in South Carolina’s commercial seafood industry. Five apprentices graduated from the program in 2024, and eleven graduated in 2025. Of these graduates, five are currently working in the commercial seafood industry in South Carolina. The upcoming 2026 cohort will spend the last week of the program with a commercial seafood business of their choosing to fully immerse themselves in the potential career opportunity. The third round of the program will run from May 4-29, 2026.